Saturday, January 24, 2015

Sophie Bangs is a college student in New York, when one of her assignments changes her life. She is researching a mythical warrior woman named Promethea. She receives a mysterious message warning her to stop investigating this person. She ignores the warning, and is almost killed when she learns the secret of Promethea. Sophie finds herself transformed as the living embodiment of the imagined Promethea. She must master the secrets of Promethea before she is destroyed by an ancient enemy.

This is the first book in the Promethea series. I like Alan Moore's graphic novels, and I was curious about this series. I was immediately enthralled with how much imagination plays a role in this story. It really forces the characters to think, and reveals who they are as they use their imagination to transform into the Promethea persona. It is a really unique approach to a superhero, and I think there is a lot of potential for this series.

Another thing I really liked about this series was the amount of female characters, and how they were handled. Most of the characters are female, which is not something you frequently see in graphic novels. I appreciated that the characters were clearly different, and not just the stereotypical woman with no discernible difference from the other female characters, that unfortunately happens a lot in graphic novels.

It also has interesting art that really grabs your attention as it uses different colors and styles to give the most impact to the reader. I found this to be an engaging story, and it left me wanting to read the rest of the series to discover what other adventures Promethea has.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Dangerous Women is an anthology of stories across genres that feature dangerous women. There are popular authors such as: George R. R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Lev Grossman, and more that contribute short stories. Some author's stories are from a world they have already created.

I was excited about this anthology as it seem to have a lot of potential. It had a few authors I liked, and the theme was one that could create great characters and stories. This anthology failed miserably. Most of the women did not seem dangerous at all. I was unimpressed with most of the plots and characters. I would be surprised if these women seem dangerous to anybody. It was a disappointing read.

I did like the tale by George R. R. Martin. I like the world he has created with A Song Of Ice And Fire, and it was interesting to read a story that occurred earlier in the series. As much as I liked it, I do wish he would finish that series instead of doing all these side projects first. I also liked the Lev Grossman story The Girl In The Mirror as it takes place in The Magicians series I really like as well.

I would skip this anthology unless there are a couple authors that have stories in series you already like.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Catherine de Medici is a legendary figure known as a despotic queen that poisoned anyone who got in her way. In this biography, Frieda claims that these legends that have grown around Catherine are unjust. She is portrayed as a skilled ruler that must face great odds during her reign. She grew up in Florence, and married the dauphin of France. She must fight to protect her throne, and then her son's.

I had been wanting to read more about Catherine de Medici for a while, and I was interested in this book as it claims to refute some of the popular stories about her. I did learn new things, but I had a difficult time really getting into this book. It was very dry, and did not engage me in her life. I would have liked a more compelling account of this well known figure.

To me, this biography was more a history of the events Catherine lived through, and she just happened to be the character chosen to illustrate those events. I would have liked to have more focus on her, as the reason I read the book was to learn more about her. I liked learning more about her husband and son, but their stories should not have overtaken Catherine's.

I will say it was a well researched book. I think it could have been presented in a more engaging way, and should have been written to focus more on Catherine who is suppose to be the subject of the book. There were a lot of details that were interesting, and I think people wanting to read a more general view of France during her reign will like this book.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Jeffrey Hudson is a young dwarf sold by his father to the Duke of Buckingham. He is trained by the Duke as a spy, and is placed in the household of the seventeen year old Queen Henrietta-Maria. The Duke wants to squash her influence with King Charles I and the court. Jeffrey struggles to balance court intrigues and his divided loyalties.

I do not know as much about this time period, so I was interested in reading a book about it. The book seemed well researched and was an engaging way to learn more about Charles I and Henrietta-Maria. It was also interesting to learn about Jeffrey Hudson and his role in the court. I liked having the book from Jeffrey's perspective. It was different than the typical princess or maid telling the tale. I liked a more unique look at the life at court.

There was a lot of detail, which can be interesting to read, but I felt there was a little too much detail at some points. It would take over the story in some places. This would make the story too verbose. If some of the words and details had been minimized, it would have enhanced the tale greatly. There was an author's note that explained some of the historical aspects, but I would have liked a little more information in this part of the book.

If you are interested in this time period, I would recommend reading this book.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

A group of young kids get together to play a video game. They have adventures fighting monsters, rescuing princesses, figuring out obstacles, racing against disaster, and anything else you would do in the typical video game. We get to watch as their actions continually lead to the phrase: "Game Over". At one point one of the kids' Father tries to get them to clean up the mess they made, and we see how they imagine they are cleaning up after the battles in the video game.

This is the first volume in the series Game Over. It is an amusing comic book/graphic novel for all ages. It is simple, with very few words, yet it is extremely amusing. If you have ever played video games you will appreciate the various ways you can loose the game. I think one of my favourites was once after the effort to rescue the princess he gets annoyed with her and ends up smashing her, making him loose the game.

The series is in French, but that should not deter non-french speakers. I found it is easy to understand what was going on. There are not a lot of words, so if you want to look up the words, it would not take you long to do it. It is a fun book, and is a quick amusing read. It also has interesting art.

Friday, January 16, 2015

It is six years after Pride And Prejudice has ended. Life is peaceful and wonderful for the Darcy family. Elizabeth is enjoying the running of Pemberley, and both Elizabeth and Darcy take great joy in their two sons. The Bingleys have an estate close by making for frequent contact between the sisters. Elizabeth is preparing for the annual autumn ball at Pemeberley. The night before the ball, a coach shows up with Lydia inside, who is hysterically screaming Wickham has been murdered. They must discover who has committed this dastardly deed.

This is a mystery sequel to the classic Pride And Prejudice. I am usually suspicious about reading sequels to classic novels as they often do not turn out well. This was a unique approach to the retelling of the classic story, and I was surprised that I actually did not mind this addition to one of my favorite classics. It was not my favorite, but it was not bad either.

One of my main quibbles with this book was how much of it was quoting or telling us what had happened in the novel Pride And Prejudice. I understand wanting to give some background to make this book feel like it was written by the same author, or wanting the characters to seem like the actual characters Austen wrote. It was too much. There should have been more originality to the story.

It was still fun to return to Pemberley, and to see these beloved characters in a different setting. It can be interesting to gain a new perspective on characters you know really well. I think James pulled it off, but it could have been a little more polished. I have not read any of her mysteries, so I am not sure how this compares to her other work.

If you are a fan of P.D. James or Austen I would recommend giving this book a try.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Isabella Walker married Henry Robinson in 1844. Henry moved the family to Edinburgh, and traveled a lot for work, leaving Isabella alone to her own devices. Isabella kept a diary of her thoughts and experiences, including her infatuation with Dr. Lane. These entries culminated in over five years of mounting passions, and were very sensual accounts written from her perspective. In 1858 Henry happened upon her diary, and was shocked by what he read. He petitioned for divorce based on her perceived infidelity. Their divorce case was famous, as her diary was read aloud in court--all but the most scandalous bits being published in the papers.

When I first heard of this book, I was immediately intrigued by the description. A woman's privacy being violated in such a way, and an account of one of the earlier divorce cases in England under the new laws making it easier for the general populace to obtain a divorce seemed like a fascinating piece of history. I thought this was an interesting account of a Victorian woman and what her life was like. I had thought this would be her actual diary with some information about the court proceedings. Instead it was about her life and the events that led up to the court case. Her actual diary was destroyed, which was rather disappointing.

I felt very bad for Mrs. Robinson. She lived a lonely life, and was in an awkward position because of the role women played in Victorian England. Her lawyers had her plead insanity to help win her divorce case. Her privacy was violated in a horribly public way. I was interested in her story, but I thought the writing could have been more focused on Mrs. Robinson and her case. There were a lot of references to contemporary novels. Some of it was fine as it helped illustrate the culture of the time, but I would have liked more of her own words.

If you are interested in Victorian England, I would recommend reading this book.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Tales Of Moonlight And Rain is a collection of nine gothic tales published in 1776. It is celebrated as some of Japan's finest examples of literature of the occult. Mysterious things occur in these tales, usually in the form of a vengeful ghost. There are also demons, possession, goblins, dreams, and more. Although full of supernatural elements, the tales are not simply tales of horror. They merge the world of reality and spirit with intriguing outcomes.

One of my book clubs has a challenge every year where members vote on a country to read books by authors from that country, about people from that country, or events that country was involved in. Each person decides how many books they will read in the specified time frame. This year, the country chosen was Japan. This is one of the books I read for that challenge. It sounded interesting, and I was not disappointed. I greatly enjoyed this collection of tales. I think my favourite story was The Carp Of My Dreams. I liked how the story flowed. You can easily imagine yourself in this story. It has a supernatural element, but is definitely not a horror story. I also liked A Serpent Lust. A serpent demon disguises itself as a beautiful woman bringing trouble to a fisherman's son. It was a interesting tale, and I wanted to see if Toyoo would figure out the woman was a demon, and if he would be able to escape the demon.

There is an introduction to the book and before each tale that are both very informative. I appreciated this, as I have a lot to learn about Japanese culture and history. The introductions to both the book and each tale contains spoilers, so if you want to avoid key elements being given away, I suggest reading the story first and going back to the introductions afterwards.

This is a collection of beautifully written tales. I think the tales are an interesting view of humanity. It is not simply about a ghost wreaking havoc, there is a reason why the ghost is haunting a person. The tales show the misery and joy of being human. They are more unsettling than horrific tales. They give an interesting perspective on history and religion.

If you are interested in classic stories, I recommend reading this book.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Katniss and Peeta are going on their Victor's Tour after winning the 74th Hunger Games. They travel to all of the districts and the Capitol. Katniss has another mission while on this tour, she must convince President Snow that she is not trying to defy him. That she will not support the rebellion. If she manages to convince him, she will keep her loved ones safe.

One of my favourite things about Catching Fire is the introduction of previous victors in the Hunger Games. They are such a unique group in this world, and have developed some interesting quirks to help deal with the trauma of their lives. I thought they were incredibly portrayed in the film. There are some great actors playing the Victors, and they show the complications of these characters perfectly.

Catching Fire is not as much about action and the games as the first film and book are. It has more to do with the trauma Katniss, Peeta, the Victors, and people living in the districts face. It shows the rise of the rebellion against the Capitol, and what the Capitol is willing to do to squash the rebellion before it can really take hold. If viewers are not expecting this change, it will probably seem slower than the first film. It is a different focus, but I like actually seeing the development of the characters and the rebellion.

I thought the film followed the book decently. There are a few changes in how things are portrayed on screen, but nothing that changes the intent of the story. The acting is wonderful, as there are some great actors in this film. There is a subtlety to the writing of the films that I appreciate. I think the director really gets that not everything should be said or pointed out. The details are excellent, and it was a great adaptation of the book.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Yorick and his traveling companions are on their way across the country to California. They make an unplanned stop in Marrisville Ohio. They find a town of full of women that used to be convicts but have escaped since all the men disappeared. Their town is actually functioning, while much of the world is in chaos. Yorick and 355 must try to get back to their mission before the Amazons find them, and the whole town discovers Yorick is the last man on earth.

This is the second volume in the Y The Last Man series. The plot is slowly starting to develop. I would like to see more character development of all the main characters. It is early in the series yet, but I want to care about the Yorick's character. I want to understand the Amazons, 355, Hero, and many of the other women making a repeated appearance. I want something that makes me care that they are struggling to survive.

I would also like to have more solid information about the Amazons and the different political groups. I understand that women would want to figure out what happened to all the men and find ways to keep the human species alive, but I really doubt a large number of women would want to kill him to avoid male dominance. I need information that makes me believe in their actions for me to really enjoy the series.

I have heard great things about this series, so I want to give it a little time to set things up and introduce us to the main characters, but I feel a little unimpressed so far. One thing that is sort of annoying is a lot of the jokes are very obviously written by a male, which would not be such a bad thing if it was not a bunch of stereotypical jokes about women. I think this series has potential, so I will continue with it for a while to see where it goes. I have hope that it will balance out and have a really interesting plot.

If you like dystopian graphic novels this might be an interesting series to try.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Maria Stahlbaum and her siblings receive a Nutcracker for Christmas. Maria immediately loves it, and treats it with great care. While playing with him late at night, Maria is shown a world where the mice come out and attack the toys, and the Nutcracker leads the defence against them. Her godfather Drosselmeyer tells her the tale of The Hard Nut, which explains the Nutcracker's story before he came to Maria. Maria continues to adventure in the fantasy world of the Nutcracker.

This is a fun Christmas tale. I have read Andersen's version and enjoyed it, so I was curious to discover how Hoffman expanded on the story. I thought it was well done, and a really good Christmas tale to get in the holiday mood. I liked the darkness of the tale, but it is not too dark for kids. I liked the tale of The Hard Nut to explain how the Nutcracker came to be in his current form. It is an interesting story, and one both adults and children will enjoy.

Sendak's illustrations enhance the story. I would have liked more pictures to help envision Candy Town and the magical journey, but I still liked what was included. I liked that Sendak included one of his monsters peeking out in one of the pictures. That was fun thing to include for fans of Where The Wild Things Are.

This is the eighth book the Bookworms read together. We chose this book together because we wanted a book to read that went with the holidays. It was a classic tale, and none of us had read this version before, so it was a new book for all of us. We had a lot of fun with it. We were also happy with this meeting because it was our first in person meeting for the book club. We focused more on the activities because we were excited to be together. Here are some of the Bookworms' thoughts on the book, warning, there may be some spoilers:

Q&A With The Bookworms Book Club

How many stars out of 5 would you give this book?Paige 5Alejandro 5 It was awesome, I want to read it again!

What did you like about this book?Paige I don't know, it's hard to choose. I liked all of it.Alejandro When they go to Candy Land. And everything else.

Did you see the monster from Where The Wild Things Are in one of the pictures?Paige That's cool! I didn't see it. I want to look for it.Alejandro Yeah, I saw it. I pointed it out when I was reading it.

What do you think about the story addressing the reader?Both: I liked it.Alejandro It was fun to be part of it.Paige I thought it made it so you could imagine you were part of the story.

Had you heard of The Nutcracker before?Alejandro I heard of the play and book but never read it before. My teacher read a shorter version to us.Paige I didn't know about this book before.

Would you give your things away to protect someone like Marie did to protect the Nutcracker?Paige Yes!Alejandro I would try to make the person asking for things to go away first.

What did you think of Perlipot in The Hard Nut story?Paige I liked it. It doesn't matter what someone looks like, what's inside is important.Alejandro I liked when they got turned into an ugly monster.

Would you follow the Nutcracker to Candy Town?Alejandro Of course! I would want to see where we would go.Paige I would follow to see where he was going.

What would you do in Candy Town?Paige I would eat candy and make a house.Alejandro Eat candy!

What did you think of the giant who was eating Candy Town?Alejandro I thought his picture looked like the godfather Drosselmeyer.Paige I thought his name Sweet Tooth was funny since he was eating Candy Town.

The Nutcracker asks Marie to leave with him to return to Candy Town forever, would you stay or go?Paige No, because I wouldn't see my family again.Alejandro Yes, because I would want to go with the Nutcracker and see Candy Town again.

After we discussed the book we did a treasure hunt with clues that related to the story. At the end of the hunt they found Nutcrackers guarding chocolate coins and notebooks that said Bookworms to make notes about the books we read.

Thank you to Alejandro and Paige for reading this book and reviewing it with me. It was a lot of fun, and I look forward to our next book together.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Camille Claudel is an aspiring sculptor in France. She is determined to join one of the famous art schools in Paris, the only thing stopping her are critics who cannot accept a woman as a sculptor. Her mother is one of her greatest critics, making her dream even more difficult to achieve. Camille has a breakthrough when Auguste Rodin agrees to make her an apprentice. Their passions inspire groundbreaking works for both of them. Camille must face critics who assume her work is derived from Rodin's, or worse, he is the true artist.

I received a free copy of this book from Penguin's First To Read Program in exchange for an honest review*. The synopsis of the book seemed interesting, and I was curious to read about a woman trying to make her way as an artist when it was not socially acceptable to do so. I thought this was an interesting story. Webb is a very descriptive writer, so you always feel as though you are in the moment with the characters. The plot focuses on the romance between Claudel and Rodin, so only read it if you are interested in that. I would personally have liked more details about Claudel that were not entwined with Rodin, but as the title tells you that is not the focus of this book.

There was an author's note at the end which explained what portions of the story were real, and what was fiction, or loosely based on reality. I always appreciate when an author does this. I liked that there were plenty of details in the note, but there was also information where to find more details for those that want to know more.

Camille Claudel is a fascinating character in this book, perhaps even more so because she is based on a real person. Webb writes Claudel as an intriguing figure, and one I would like to know more about. I enjoy having new topics or historical figures brought to my attention, and I am looking forward to learning more about this artist.

I read this as an ebook on my Nook, and had no problems with the format. The images showed up on the screen fine.

If you are interested in this time period or these artists, I would recommend reading this book.

*Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have gotten to as soon, or heard about otherwise.

Monday, January 5, 2015

The Heptameron is a collection of stories attributed to Magurite de Navarre(sister to Francois I of France). Ten people take refuge from floods in a monastery, and to amuse themselves they take turns telling different tales. There were suppose to be one hundred stories told over ten days to complete the collection. We only make it to day seven and story seventy-seven. The author died before completing the tales.

Often these tales are compared to Chaucer's Cantebury Tales or Boccaccio's The Decameron. The set up is similar, a group of people tell stories, but I did not prefer The Heptameron as much as The Cantebury Tales, although I enjoyed reading both of them. I have yet to read all of The Decameron, so I will not say anything about that comparison.

I found these tales to be a little repetitive, and after the first couple days of stories, I was not as interested in some of the tales as I would have been if they were more unique from the other tales. There are some interesting things to be learned about the time period, and what people might have been thinking about religion, priests, sexuality, relationships, and much more. I did enjoy the sparring of the characters as they used stories to reinforce their opinions.

If you liked reading The Cantebury Tales or The Decameron, I would recommend reading this book.

Saturday, January 3, 2015

The Killing Joke is the origin story of the Joker from the Batman series. As we learn more about one of the greatest villains, we watch him try to prove his theory that any man can be broken and go insane. The person he has chosen to test his theory on is: Inspector Gordon. The Joker kidnaps him, hurts his daughter, and mentally attacks him. Inspector Gordon tries to resist the Joker, but will he be able to maintain his sanity with the help of Batman?

I really liked that this graphic novel focused on the Joker and his origin story. I find him an intriguing villain, and I really enjoyed learning more about him. It is a short story, but there is a lot there. The story is intriguing, and of course, well written as we would expect from Moore. We really climb inside the Joker's mind, as he talks about his theory of "one bad day" being all that is needed to turn people insane.

The artwork is also very good. The colors and graphics evoke the horror and insanity of the Joker. I think it is particularly important for a short story that has so much going on to have artwork that enhances the emotions of the tale. You do not have to be a fan of Batman to appreciate the brilliance of this story.

Friday, January 2, 2015

This is the story of the daughters of the last Tsar of Russia: Olga, Tatiana, Marie, and Anastasia Romanov. Most people are aware of their tragic end in the basement of Ekaterinburg. This book focuses on their lives before that. What were they like, what they did, and what it meant to be the daughters of the Tsar.

This was an interesting look at all four sisters lives. Rappaport uses diaries and letters, some of them previously unpublished, to give us a fresh look at these sisters. Some of the diaries and letters are from the sisters, and others are from family or close friends. The use of these sources gives us an intimate view of their personalities, and what their lives were like. I also liked having other people's thoughts on the sisters, and not just their own. It made it much more enjoyable to me.

While the primary focus of this book is the four Romanov sisters, there is still a lot of information about other family members, particularly their brother Alexei. I would have wished for a little less about other people, but their brother's health problems did drastically affect their lives, so it was unavoidable to have him continually come up in a story about them. They were also kept very close to their family unit, and rarely let out into society, so their family was very close and involved in their lives.

I thought this was a very interesting book about the Romanov sisters. The facts are clearly laid out, and it is worth reading to learn more about who these young women were. I think this book would work well for those reading about the Romanovs for the first time, and for those who have previously read about them. After reading about their lives, I would like to read Rappaport's book: The Last Days Of The Romanovs: Tragedy At Ekaterinburg. It would be interesting to continue their story to the end.

I recommend this book if you are interested in Russian history or the Romanovs.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

It was so hard to choose my favorite books from all of the books I reviewed during the year. I decided the books that make this list will be books that impressed me, surprised me, or surpassed my expectations. Here are the books that made the list, and a little bit about the book or why I chose it. To read the full review of each book click on the title.

This book was a surprise and delight to read. It is a combination of fantasy, historical fiction, and folklore. All three are some my favorite genres to read, and were expertly combined to make it seem believable. I was immediately lost in this world and did not put this book down. It was an original tale that pulls you in with the beauty of the writing. It is not simply a fantasy story. It explores moral issues, relationships, and immigration.

I actually reviewed the whole trilogy this year, and loved them all. I think The Jedi Doth Return ended up being my favorite of them, although each book has something wonderful and unique about it. Star Wars fans should not worry how the story is represented. I thought these books enhanced the world we know and love. I recommend this book to all my friends and family because I know they will love the humor.

This is the first book in the Johannes Cabal series. It is an amusing take on the classic tale of making a deal with the devil. The wit and humor alone makes this book worth reading, but the characters and plot are also phenomenal. There is the perfect balance of setting up the series and characters, and having them progress and keep you interested.

I knew I would find some recipes I would like when I agreed to review this book, but I had no idea it would become one of my favorite cookbooks. I even have some of the page numbers to my favorite recipes from this book memorized because I use them so often. This cookbook is a must for any fan of Thai food that wants to try making it themselves.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is the first book in an awesome trilogy. The dark satire of this story entranced me. It might be a little too dark and depressing for some people, but I loved it! It had some great life messages without beating you over the head with it. It was also a great fantasy story. It also has some great literary references included, which I appreciated.

This is a fictional account of Hild when she was a young girl and served as the king's seer. It was the first book in a series, and I cannot wait to read the next book. I was captivated by Hild's tale. I liked the adventure and intrigue of the story, and the way Hild knew what would happen in the future. I thought it was a clever way to portray a seer.

Dracula is one of my all time favorite books, and since I reviewed it this year, it just has to be included in my favorite books reviewed this year. This is a book I return to again and again. I love the building tension, and the classic tale of the vampire. I really like the intimate view of the characters the epistolary form gives the reader. We experience the confusion and horror with them. This edition has some great artwork that helps evoke the horror and beauty of this tale. It is a book not to be missed.

I thought this was a fascinating look at fruits and vegetables, and how the nutrition has slowly been bred out of our food. It was an interesting journey through the history of common foods we eat today. Robinson also discusses which food has the most nutrients, and how to eat them. I really liked that for each section she includes a recipe, so you can actually try some of the tips she provides in the book.

I found this story to be a very compelling historical fiction book. I liked how quickly I was pulled into the van Goethem sister's tale. Their story is told from the two older sister's perspectives, and each has a distinct compelling voice. I had no idea how I would come to feel for these sisters. I really liked Buchanan's writing style. It was an entrancing book.

This was one of my favorite historical fiction books this year. Gulland makes the characters so compelling you will not be able to put the book down. There are some major historical events in this book, but also everyday events for the characters. It was a beautifully written tale that fans of historical fiction should not miss.

I really liked reading about the events in Abigail Adams' life in her own words, or in the words of her sisters: Mary Cranch and Elizabeth Shaw. It brought their story to life, and provided a very intimate view of historical events. I really liked the new perspective I gained of some historical events and figures from this book.

I had heard great things about this book, but was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it. I liked the blending of the genres of science fiction and medical mystery. They worked very well together. The plot keeps you interested, and you will want to keep reading it. I was very intrigued by this story, and am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

This book is about the rise of processed food companies, and the connection they have to the growing obesity epidemic. It is about how these foods are made, the shift towards eating huge quantities of this food, and how the process has changed over the years. It is also about how your brain reacts to the key ingredients: salt, sugar, and fat. I also really liked that this was about providing information to consumers and not vilifying the companies that make processed food.

The Legend Of Sigurd And Gudrun
Part of this book is the legend of Sigurd, and part of it is the notes Tolkien compiled for his Norse Mythology class that he taught. I really enjoyed this version of The Legend Of Sigurd, it was a tale that was easy to engage in, and was fun to read. I also liked learning Tolkien's thoughts about the poem, and what parts of the myth had been left out. Tolkien fans and fans of Viking Sagas will enjoy reading this book.

I found this graphic novel series this year, and I knew by the description I would love it or loath it. Fortunately, the humor is amazing! It is a great twist on the mystery genre. It is not all jokes and fun, there are serious points as well. The story keeps you interested as it progresses. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing this series so far, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series because it is awesome.

Among The Hidden
I read and reviewed this with the Bookworms. I had read it years ago, but enjoyed reading and discussing it with my niece and nephew. It is a great book to introduce young readers to the dystopian genre. The writing is layered allowing for different levels of understanding, so adults and young readers can enjoy reading this book.

John Adams
I started reviewing movies based on books this year, and this was one of my favorites I have reviewed so far. I knew I would like it, but I was blown away by how well done this mini-series was. The writing and acting bring to life the story of John Adams. They relied heavily on the biography by David McCullough for this series. The last episode in the series was my favorite part, although it was all incredible.

About Me

I have my BA in History, and I minored in History of Art and Museum Studies. I like to cook, travel, and read. I love to share what I am reading, and help other people find books they are interested in. I hope you find some books you like here, and will share your thoughts on the books I review.